I'm building a small couch tray table out of Red Oak.  The top is 3/4" thick and measures 14 3/4" X 24 3/4".  I made the top by gluing up 3 boards.  The top is not dead flat. If I lay a straight edge across it I can see light in a few spots.  I've been sanding to try and get the high spots down.  I don't have a planer or wide sander.  I loaned my belt sander and it hasn't been returned.  I have a random orbit sander but don't think this will do it for me.  There aren't any woodworking close by.  I'm going to stain and use an oil based poly on it.  I've used poly quite a bit and I'm wondering if the self leveling process will help make the top flat?  

Try a cabinet scraper for the high spots. Once you start you will go over the whole thing as you will like the finish they leave.

Herb

Now is an excellent time to learn to use a scraper and/or a hand plane. Poly will not make it level.

Personally, seeing a little light here and there, I would not worry about it, flat is subjective, depends on the use or purpose of the surface. The highs and lows you describe should not have any effect to a glass of water, or anything else that may be sitting on it. Look at the top, can you see the high lows with the naked eye? Does a glass of water rock on the surface if you set it near the high spot?

I would not worry about it. Hey, it's hand made!!!!!

concur.  sand it smooth, finish it nicely, done.

 

as though the floor is flat too!

Hello Jim

I agree with John. The only requirements for flatness are function and your own appeal. If the slight rises don't affect usability and appearance, then you can let it go. Or, you can attempt to scrape out the rises just for the practice. Your choice.

hat

 

You can also top it with a piece of glass with flex buttons under.

I like the cabinet scraper advice for really bad spots but as others have pointed out dead flat isn't really necessary.

Thank You all for your replies and advice. 

1 hour ago, PeteM said:

You can also top it with a piece of glass with flex buttons under.

I had thought about a glass top because the 2 end tables have glass tops.  I have an old piece of glass from one of the end tables and I just placed it on this table to see how it would sit.  Nice and flat...no rocking.  Glass top will mean less coats of poly.   

How flat? Well  how flat does it need to be?  A small occasional table  does not had a flatness specification.  I've never seen one that is really flat.

 

Take a very damp washcloth lay it on top and use a clothes iron to raise the low spots ,let dry over night, then sand or scrape of the rough grain and finish it with a sealer then clear coat.

 

Herb

Finished it.  Decided to flatten by hand sanding, stain, oil based poly and not do a glass top.

Hey that looks real good

44 minutes ago, Bdavep said:

Hey that looks real good

better than that...

Great job Jim...perfect finish for the "craftsman" era look. I like it...a lot!

Thanks for sharing.

You did a great job on that,and the finish too.

Herb

Well done!

Nice!

Great job.  What stain did you use?